Connection architecture for XDSL networks and intermediate distribution frame for said architecture

ABSTRACT

The connection architecture is configured to digitally monitor filters therein, directly connecting a test table to the intermediate distribution frame without requiring wiring to the DSLAM. Filter cards of the dominant operators and of second operators, at least one smart card containing the relays that are activated from the test table, for which a digital bus is used, allowing measurement of the subscriber loop for filters of second operators and the DSLAM signal as well for the dominant operator, are further provided with an additional card in charge of receiving and distributing the signal that arrives from the DSLAM, between the filters, and connectors to which are connected the filter cards so that when they are extracted, the input (voice) is connected to the output (voice +data) so that the voice signal is not disconnected.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Phase application ofPCT/GB03/000193 filed on Jan. 15, 2003 and published in English, whichclaims priority from Spanish Application P200200130 filed on Jan. 22,2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to both the connection architecture forXDSL networks and to the intermediate distribution frame for sucharchitecture.

In order to provide a high-speed data transmission service, such as byan ADSL line (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) or in general xDSL, itis necessary to either join or separate the voice signal, sent by theswitching exchange, and the high speed xDSL data signal supplied by thedigital subscriber line access multiplexor (DSLAM) by means of a filteror splitter which sums or separates the signals depending on whetherthey are going to or coming from the subscriber.

The object of the present invention is to develop a connectionarchitecture for xDSL networks that allows to place the filters orsplitters in an intermediate distribution frame and to digitally monitorthese filters at the intermediate distribution frame automatically, sothat no wiring is required, which task is a complex one. In addition thetext table is connected to the intermediate distribution frameindependently of the DSLAM.

Therefore, the present invention lies within the scope of telephony andmore specifically within the connection systems for xDSL lines, as wellas the means required to effect these connections.

As mentioned before, providing a high speed data service such as by anADSL line requires joining the voice signal which arrives from theswitching central to the xDSL high-speed signal provided by the digitalsubscriber line access multiplexor (DSLAM), that is, the device whichprovides access to high-speed lines. The summing or separation iseffected by a splitter normally installed together with the DSLAM in thesame electronic components cabinet.

Given the high cost of the DSLAM and splitter joint equipment, certainoperators have preferred to purchase the components separately and toinstall the splitters and the DSLAM in different cabinets. This solutionhas a number of drawbacks, such as:

-   -   The wiring must be double, from the intermediate distribution        frame and the splitter cabinet in order to sum both signals,        voice and xDSL, and then again to the intermediate distribution        frame.    -   The test table must be connected to both the splitters and to        the DSLAM.    -   A switching matrix is required at the DSLAM and another at the        splitter area in order to disable the splitters and signals to        carry out measurements.    -   Not all DSLAMs allow a switching matrix.    -   Wiring between the splitters and the test table is complex and        difficult to effect, particularly each time there are        extensions.    -   A demarcation point is required to measure the DSLAM side and        the subscriber loop side, requiring a cutting and test point in        the splitter area.    -   Wiring is required between the cabinet housing the DSLAM and        that housing the splitters, and between the switching exchange        and the intermediate distribution frame, specifically with the        vertical and horizontal sides.    -   An intermediate distribution frame is required at the bridge to        the vertical and horizontal side, further requiring a fixed        wiring to the DSLAM.    -   If the test table is installed at the DSLAM only the dominant        operator lines can be measured, so that it is not possible to        measure the status of a line rented to a different operator.

Later and in order to solve part of the aforementioned drawbacks,nowadays and in certain cases the splitters have been integrated intothe intermediate distribution frames, simplifying the wiring but withdrawbacks remaining, such as:

-   -   The test table requires a switching matrix at the DSLAM and        another at the splitter area.    -   Not all current DSLAMs allow a switching matrix.    -   A demarcation point is required to measure the DSLAM side and        the subscriber loop side.    -   The wiring between the test table and the intermediate        distribution frame is complex.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide aconnection architecture which avoids the above described drawbacks, forwhich an intermediate distribution frame is provided which housesintelligent filters that can be monitored digitally, and thereforeautomatically, directly from the test table without requiring the use ofa switching matrix at the DSLAM. Said monitoring is effected by adigital bus which can activate all measuring points of the various linesby a bus with a low number of wires, thereby greatly simplifying thewiring. Additionally, the test table is independent of all DSLAMs, sothat it can measure both the lines of the dominant operator and thoserented to other operators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed invention for a connection architecture or XDSL networksand the intermediate distribution frame required for this architectureconsists of achieving an architecture in which the filters areintegrated in the intermediate distribution frame, thereby simplifyingthe required wiring. In addition, the test table is independent of anytype of DSLAM, so that the use of switching matrices in the DSLAM is notrequired.

As an option it is possible to automatically monitor the filters bymeans of a smart card with relays that are activated by the test table,with the card being controlled by a digital bus with a low number oflines. This card can be installed at a later time, when the number offilters is so great that manual measuring becomes an onerous task.Adding the card does not involve an reconfiguration, simply addingservices.

These smart cards that can be added later allow to obtain a demarcationpoint in which to measure the DSLAM and the subscriber loop sides,thereby allowing to install filters of other operators, with thesefilters configured so that only the subscriber loop and not the DSLAMside loop can be verified, as this corresponds to the second operator.This allows to integrate filters of other operators in the sameintermediate distribution frame and with the same system.

Therefore the advantages of the current configuration is a greater andbetter operation, as the filters can be monitored automatically, thetest table is independent of the DSLAMs, and costs are reduced byeliminating wiring from the test table to the DSLAM and the use of aswitching matrix, while space is saved as it allows to place the filtersof the dominant operator and those of other operators in the sameintermediate distribution frame.

As regards the intermediate frame it will be configured such that ithouses the filter cards for both the dominant operator and others, withthese filter cards containing the configuration required to performmeasurements on the DSLAM side and on the subscriber loop or only on thesubscriber loop, as required.

Additionally, on said intermediate distribution frame is housed at leastone smart card that contains relays activated by the test table allowingto digitally monitor the subscriber loop for second operators and theDSLAM side as well for the dominant operator. This card is onlyinstalled when wanting to perform automatic measurements from the testtable. The card is controlled by a digital bus which can activate allmeasurement points.

The digital bus is provided with two measurement wires, another twowires for power supply to the relays and as many wires as required toactivate all the measurement points.

Connection of the filter cards will be achieved by connectors which whenextracted connect directly the input (voice) and the output (voice anddata) so that the voice is not disconnected and the service is notinterrupted at the card removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As a complement to the description of the invention which will be madebelow and in order to aid a better understanding of its characteristicsthe present descriptive memory is accompanied by a set of drawings inwhich for purposes of illustration only and in a non-limiting sense themost significant details of the invention are shown.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration scheme where the filter is separated fromthe DSLAM but in which the test table acts through the DSLAM.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration scheme proposed herein in which the testtable is independent of the DSLAM, allowing to place filters of otheroperators and to digitally monitor all filters automatically.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the intermediate distributionframe required to provide the connection architecture for XDSL networks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures a description is provided below ofa preferred embodiment for the invention, as well as an explanation ofthe drawings.

FIG. 1 shows how the switching exchange (1) supplies the voice signal(2), which passes through the intermediate distribution frame (4) andreaches the filter or splitter (3) meant to join or separate the voicesignal (2) and the high speed xDSL signal (7) provided by the digitalsubscriber line access multiplexor (DSLAM) (5), obtaining the signal (8)that then reaches the intermediate distribution frame (4) again andcontinues to the subscriber (9). The test table (6) is connected to theDSLAM and is not independent of it, so that in order to performmeasurements on the filters two switching matrices are required, as wellas the corresponding wiring between the filters (3) and the test table(6), which is complex and difficult to perform every time extensions arerequired. Also necessary is the corresponding wiring between the DSLAM(5) and the filters (3).

In FIG. 2 one can see the proposed solution for a connectionarchitecture for XDSL networks, which allows digital and thereforeautomatic monitoring of the filters, avoids wiring and makes independentthe text table (6) from the DSLAM (5), allowing to place secondoperators (11). Said figure shows how the test table (6) is independentfrom the DSLAM (5), sand is connected directly to the intermediatedistribution frame (4), by means of a digital bus (10), thereby allowingthe entrance of second operators (11).

FIG. 3 shows the intermediate distribution frame required for the abovedescribed configuration. This intermediate distribution frame (4) isinternally provided with a number of filter cards (13), which may belongto the dominant operator or to other operators, and leaves spaceavailable for at least one smart card (12) which may be added later toprovide a demarcation point for measuring either the subscriber side inthe case of a second operator or both the subscriber line and the DSLAMline for the dominant operator.

This smart card contains relays that are activated from the test table(6), allowing to automatically monitor the filters (13), for whichpurpose the smart card (12) and the test table (6) are connected by adigital bus (10) which encompasses the intermediate distribution frames.This digital bus (10) is provided with at least two wires for powersupply to the relays, another two for the signal and as many wires asrequired to activate all the measuring points, thereby eliminating thewiring between the filters and the test table and the use of twoswitching matrices.

The connections of the filter cards (13) are effected by the connectors(14) that allow to maintain the voice signal when the cards areextracted, as the voice is directly connected to the output, with voiceand data available when connected. The high speed xDSL signal providedby the DSLAM (5) arrives through a connector (16), which can provide aservice to as many cards as may be installed by means of an additionalcard or backplane (15).

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that manyadditions and modifications are possible without departing from thescope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

1. A connection architecture for XDSL lines comprising: filters and/orsplitters located in an intermediate distribution frame; a test tableconnected directly to the intermediate distribution frame independentlyof digital subscriber line access multiplexor (DSLAM); and at least onesmart card installed in the intermediate distribution frame with thefilters and/or splitters therein, the at least one smart card beingconfigured to connect the test table to the intermediate distributionframe, the at least one smart card containing devices that can beactivated from the test table to digitally and automatically monitor thefilters and/or splitters.
 2. A connection architecture according toclaim 1, wherein said at least one smart card is configured to allowmonitoring of a subscriber loop of filter cards associated with linesassociated with other operators, and to allow monitoring of both asubscriber loop and a DSLAM signal for lines associated with a dominantoperator.
 3. A connection architecture according to claim 1, whereinsaid filters and/or splitters are associated with a first operator andwherein said at least one smart card is configured to place filters ofat least one second operator in the intermediate distribution frame. 4.A connection architecture according to claim 1, wherein said at leastone smart card is actuated from the test table using a digital bus.
 5. Aconnection architecture according to claim 4, wherein said digital busincludes two power wires, two measurement wires and wires for activatingall measurement points.
 6. An intermediate distribution frame for aconnection architecture for XDSL lines, comprising: a frame; filterand/or splitter cards in the frame; at least one smart card configuredto allow digital monitoring of filters associated with the filter and/orsplitter cards; output connectors; and an additional card and/orbackplane including a connector configured to recieve a signal from adigital subscriber line access multiplexor (DSLAM).
 7. An intermediatedistribution frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least onesmart card contains devices which are activated from a test table.
 8. Anintermediate distribution frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein said atleast one smart card is configured to allow monitoring of a subscriberloop associated with at least one of the filter and/or splitter cardsthat is associated with a non-dominant operator and monitoring of both asubscriber loop and a DSLAM signal associated with at least one of thefilter and/or splitter cards that is associated with a dominantoperator.
 9. An intermediate distribution frame as claimed in claim 6,wherein the filter and/or splitter cards are associated with a dominantoperator and wherein the at least one smart card is configured toreceive filters of at least one second operator to place the filters ofthe at least one second operator in the frame.
 10. An intermediatedistribution frame as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a digitalbus configured to couple said at least one smart card to a test tableused to actuate the at least one smart card.
 11. An intermediatedistribution frame according to claim 10, wherein said digital busincludes two power supply wires, two measurement wires and wires toactivate all measurement points.
 12. An intermediate distribution frameaccording to claim 6, wherein the filter and/or splitter cards areconnected to the frame by connectors configured to, when an associatedone of the filter and/or splitter cards are extracted, connect a voiceinput signal directly to a combined voice and data output signal so thata voice service associated with the extracted card is not disconnected.